Three for Free: Summer Days

The sun’s out and surf’s up—it’s time to enjoy the endless summer days here in Huntington Beach. Summer officially started on June 20, so it’s time to kick off the season with a bang. Stay entertained this June and July with our top picks for no-cost events and activities in Surf City, USA.

112th Huntington Beach Fourth of July Celebration

When: July 4, 2016

Where: Main Street, Downtown Huntington Beach

Themed “America the Beautiful,” the 2016 iteration of this beloved local tradition is so much more than just a parade. Festivities kick off in the early morning at Main Street and 17th with the Surf City Run—cheer on participants in the 5K and kids’ races at 7 a.m., or visit the fitness expo as early as 6 a.m. for music, games, and health and wellness vendors booths. The mile-long parade starts at 10 a.m., so grab a spot along Main Street from Pacific Coast Highway to Yorktown Avenue in downtown Huntington Beach. It’s the “biggest parade West of the Mississippi” and kicks off with a flyover of military craft near the launch of the parade route at PCH. Spend the day visiting vendors along Pier Plaza, then come back to the pier at 9 p.m. for the Fourth of July celebration’s grand finale: a spectacular fireworks show over the ocean!

Surfin’ Sundays Concerts Series

When: July 24, Aug. 14 and Sept. 18, 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Where: Pier Plaza, 315 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach*

Tap your feet and get your groove on at the annual concert series hosted by the Huntington Beach International Surf Museum. These day-long mini music festivals bring a fun lineup of bands like The Tequila Worms, Black Magic Beach Party, The Surf Kings and more. The concert series sticks to its theme with a diverse sampling of surf-themed tunes, from psycho-surf to surf rock ‘n’ roll to horror surf, and everything in between. (*Some shows may take place in the International Surf Museum parking lot; follow the museum on Facebook for details.)

Vans U.S. Open of Surfing

When: July 23-31, 2016

Where: Downtown Huntington Beach

Powerhouse athletes from the surf, skate and BMX genres descend on Huntington State Beach for this 10-day action sports extravaganza. Competitors go head-to-head in qualifying rounds held on the water and in the Vans Pro Bowl. In addition to viewing practices, trials and competitions, spectators can stick around on select evenings for family-friendly movie screenings along the beach. Events throughout the Vans US Open of Surfing are free and open to the public.

Author: Allison Hata

Writing offers a new way for me to look at the world, whether it's understanding the personal story of a male breast cancer survivor or predicting fall's biggest footwear trends. I learn something with each assignment I take, be it a travel story that has me visiting a tiny island in Asia or exploring the local culinary gems in New York City.

My day job is at an Orange County-based publishing company, Firebrand Media, where I manage a group of regional and lifestyle titles. I also work as a freelance writer covering travel, fashion, retail, beauty and food, as well as a freelance marketing consultant with agency experience in the professional services, consumer packaged goods and nonprofit fields.

I graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a degree in journalism, and I currently live in Orange County.